Digital audio-video content mobile library

ABSTRACT

Methods for managing digital content include authenticating a user account identifier from a client device over a computer network, registering a telephone number for at least one wireless mobile device in a registry identified with the user account based on the authenticating, as a pre-authorized identifier for accessing digital content licensed for use with the client device. The methods include maintaining a library of digital content identified with the user account for access by the at least one wireless mobile device, and initiating streaming of the digital video content to the at least one wireless mobile device without requiring user authentication from the at least one wireless mobile device, based on the registering of the telephone number as the pre-authorized identifier. An apparatus for performing the method comprises a processor coupled to a memory, the memory holding instructions for performing steps of the method as summarized above.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. non-provisional applicationSer. No. 15/676,858 filed Aug. 14, 2017 now U.S. Pat. No. 10,555,017,which is a continuation of U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No.14/923,313, filed Oct. 26, 2015 now U.S. Pat. No. 9,736,514, which is acontinuation of U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 13/281,222,filed Oct. 25, 2011 now U.S. Pat. No. 9,172,984, which claims prioritypursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. provisional application Ser. No.61/406,512, filed Oct. 25, 2010, which is hereby incorporated byreference, in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

This application relates to methods and apparatus for implementing adigital audio-video content mobile library.

Description of Related Art

Digital audio-video content is increasingly delivered to consumers via adelivery channel known as digital download. Digital download refers totransmission of digital audio-video content, sometimes called digitalcontent, from a source device to a designated client device via acommunications or computer network, in response to a client requestrequesting the specific digital content that is delivered. Digitaldownload may be typically provided over broadband wide-area networks,for example, the Internet. Digital content may be stored as one or morefiles in a memory for the destination device. Access to the digitalcontent may be limited to one or more destination devices or to one ormore specific user accounts. Access to digital content may be restrictedto a specific time window, or may be unrestricted using digital rightsmanagement (DRM). The client receiving a digital download is typicallyequipped with a processor, user interface, and memory. For example, aclient may comprise a computer, smart phone, or notepad device. Digitalcontent may include, for example, motion pictures, documentaries,episodes of serial programming, or special features.

In addition, digital content may be streamed to a destination device forstreaming video. Streaming is a type of digital download in which aparticular file is downloaded to a client device in response to a clientrequest for viewing via a video interface object, but no copy of thedownloaded file is saved on the client device after the video interfaceobject unloads the file or is terminated. Therefore, to view a streamedcopy at the same client after the video interface unloads the file or isterminated, it must be streamed again from the source to the object.

Digital download may be contrasted with distribution via a broadcastchannel, as used in television broadcasting via cable, wireless, orsatellite networks. Broadcast channels, even digital channels, provide apredetermined stream of audio-video data to a set-top box, videorecorder, television, or other client, typically over a dedicatedtransmission channel. The stream may be recorded if the client isequipped with memory, but is not provided in response to a specificrequest for specific digital content. The client device may selectdifferent channels for viewing, but not specific content files within achannel.

Broadcast channels as used to deliver content over dedicatedtransmission channels should not be confused with the term “channel” assometimes used in digital downloading over computer networks. In thecontext of a digital download, a “channel” may refer to bundlingmultiple files together as a subscription service, and optionallyreleasing different files for download at different times. Thus, a usermay subscribe to a channel that provides access to a specific type ofcontent for digital download, for example, a comedy, sports, or traveldigital download channel. However, unlike broadcast channels, a digitaldownload channel permits users to select specific content within thechannel's offerings for digital download to a specified client device,at a time of the user's choosing.

Digital download systems thereby permit users to download copies ofdigital audio-video content to a designated client device. In somecircumstances, for example with copyrighted content provided under alicense in exchange for payment or the like, the digital download isconditioned on the client device being associated with an identifier fora user account. Notwithstanding the advantages of current digitaldownload systems, it would be desirable to improve upon the capabilitiesof current systems to permit more flexible use of downloaded content ondifferent client devices.

As used herein, “digital audio-video content” or “digital content”refers to audio-video content encoded as a digital file or files.Audio-video content is characterized by a sequence of video framescoupled to an audio track, for playing in sequence by a media playerapplication on the client device. In addition, as used herein, a “file”or “digital file” refers to a set of electronic digital data that isencoded in a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a non-transitorymedium) and referenced by a file name or similar identifier in adirectory or similar data structure for the storage medium. As such, afile is clearly distinguished from a packet or other transient data settransmitted via a carrier wave. Information contained in a file and filemetadata may be transmitted using a carrier wave, for replicating thefile in a different storage medium. Such transmission and replicationmay sometimes be referred to as “transmitting a file,” but this andsimilar terminology does not negate the essential character of a filebeing a discrete data set encoded in a storage medium.

SUMMARY

It would be desirable, therefore, to provide a technology enablingconsumers to redeem digital copies of audio-video content by downloadinga file to their personal computer (PC) associated with a correspondinguser account, while enabling the user to view a downloaded file on oneor more designated mobile devices. Thus, for example, a consumer maydownload a copy of a motion picture or other digital audio-video contentunder a license from its copyright holder, for viewing on the PC. Underthe same license governing use of the downloaded file, the consumerdesignates one or more mobile devices to be used for accessing thedownloaded content, each of which is assigned a telephone number for acommunications network. A viewing application is installed on each ofthese mobile devices. The mobile device can then be used by any personto access the content downloaded to the PC, via streaming from a networkserver connected to the mobile device's communications network. Thetechnology may be configured such that no user authentication isrequired to view the content on the mobile device. Instead, the mobiledevice's phone number operates as a pre-authorized identifier foraccessing content licensed in association with the PC.

The technology may be implemented as a method performed using one ormore computers configured for serving information over a network, suchas a wide area network. For example, a Digital Content Management (DCM)server may, in response to validating a user account identifier receivedfrom a client computer (for example, a PC or other computer), registermobile device platform information and telephone number information forat least one wireless mobile device indicated by information receivedfrom the client in a registry identified with the user account. Tovalidate the user account identifier, the DCM server may use a digitalcontent manager application installed on the client computer. Inaddition, the DCM server may reserve the digital content manager and thedigital video content library for use with the user account identifieronly, in response to validating the user account identifier via thedigital content manager application.

The DCM server may also maintain a library of digital video contentidentified with the user account, available for serving the digitalvideo content to the client computer. The DCM server may serve digitalvideo content identified in the library to the client computer, eithervia digital download of files or by streaming video service. In someembodiments, the DCM server may maintain a copy of the digital videocontent library on the client computer, synchronized with the librarymaintained at the DCM server.

In addition, the DCM server may provide the digital content, the mobiledevice platform information and the telephone number information to amobile content server, to enable on-demand streaming video delivery ofthe digital video content from the mobile content server to the at leastone mobile device without requiring the user account identifier to beprovided from the at least one mobile device.

The mobile content server may convert the digital video content to amobile form compatible with the mobile device platform, provide softwareto the mobile device for obtaining and accessing mobile content, receiverequests for content from mobile devices, and stream video content tomobile devices identified as authorized to receive content by the DCMserver.

The DCM server may also track and make a record of progress of theon-demand streaming video delivery of the digital video content from themobile content server to the at least one mobile device, to enable playof the digital video content to resume at the client computer at a pointwhere the streaming video delivery is terminated to the at least onemobile device. Likewise, the mobile content server may track and make arecord of the progress to enable play of the digital video content toresume at any client in the registry at a point where the streamingvideo delivery is terminated to the at least one mobile device.

The system may also handle temporary copies of digital content; i.e.,copies that are downloaded to a client device but for which viewingrights are limited to a defined period of time. For example, viewingrights may be limited to period expiring 24 hours after play of thecontent is first initiated. The DCM server may initiate a viewing periodfor a title of the digital video content, in response to play of thetitle being initiated on any one of the client computer or mobile clientin the registry, wherein play of the title is not permitted on any oneof the client computer or mobile client in the registry, afterexpiration of the viewing period. In some embodiments, the temporarycopy may be viewed using any registered client, including mobiledevices. Therefore, the DCM server may also synchronize data definingthe viewing period between it and the mobile content server.

In an aspect, access to library content from a mobile device is providedvia an application downloaded to the mobile device after the device isregistered as belonging to a user account. To facilitate installation ofthe mobile access application, the mobile content server or the DCMserver may transmit an SMS message addressed to the telephone number, inresponse to registration of the mobile device platform information andtelephone number information with the DCM server. In some embodiments,the transmitting server may include a link for downloading a viewingapplication for the mobile device in the SMS message that it transmitsto the mobile device. The link may be configured such that, in responseto user selection of the link via a mobile device interface,installation of the viewing application on the mobile device isautomatically initiated by a server in cooperation with the mobiledevice.

The foregoing technology may be implemented as encoded instructions on anon-transitory computer-readable medium, which, when executed by one ormore processors of a computer, cause the computer to perform the noveloperation as described above to achieve results as described herein. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium may be, or may include, astorage medium or memory medium. The technology may be implemented in anapparatus, for example a computer server, having a processor and memory,wherein the memory holds code for causing the server to perform thenovel method to achieve results as described herein. The presentdisclosure therefore discloses illustrative steps of a method asexemplifying the novel technology, which is not limited to a method andmay be implemented in various other ways such as described herein.

A more complete understanding of the method and system for a digitalaudio-video content mobile library will be realized by one of ordinaryskill in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages andobjects thereof, by considering the following detailed description.Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings, which willfirst be described briefly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention, in accordance with one or more variousembodiments, is described in detail with reference to the followingfigures.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a system for managingand distributing contents of a digital content library to multipleclients, including mobile devices, registered for use with a useraccount.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing aspects of a data file includingprotected video content and metadata.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of data flowswithin a multi-client video content distribution and management system.

FIG. 4 is simplified screen shot showing an example of a user interfacescreen for managing registration of mobile devices for a user account,using a client computer registered with the user account.

FIG. 5 is flow chart illustrating examples of novel operations andaspects of the present technology.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of a method for registeringand distributing video content to one or more mobile devices.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing illustrative components of anapparatus for registering and distributing video content to one or moremobile devices.

FIGS. 8-12 are flow charts each showing examples of various differentadditional operations that may be performed in association with themethod shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

An example of a system 100 including aspects of managing anddistributing digital audio-video content to mobile devices is shown inFIG. 1. The system may comprise a DCM client computer 102, for example,a personal computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, tabletcomputer, smart phone, or the like, for accessing digital content usinga display device 106 to view video output from the client 102, inresponse to input from an input device 104. The input device 104 maycomprise a keyboard, touchscreen, microphone, or other transducer forconverting physical input from a user into electrical signals for theclient 102. Client 102 may comprise a processor, memory, networkinterface, and computer graphics display driver for providing videooutput to the display device 106, comprising an LCD display screen orsimilar device. Files containing protected audio-video content andmetadata may be encoded on a computer-readable storage medium 122coupled to the client 102, such as, for example, a magnetic, optical, orelectronic data storage device. The client 102 may be configured todecode and decompress encoded content, and decrypt protected content, toprovide a video signal for the display 106. The computer-readable medium122 may further hold encoded instructions for performing certain actionsas described herein, and downloaded digital video content filesbelonging to a digital content library for a user.

System 100 may further comprise one or more wireless networks 116coupled to a wide area network (WAN) 114, for communicating with one ormore wireless mobile clients 118. It is contemplated that a wirelessmobile client 118 may include components that are generally the same asor similar to client 102, and perform the same or similar functions. Inaddition, each mobile client 118 may belong to a wireless communicationsystem (WCS) wherein it is assigned a telephone number that uniquelyidentifies it within the WCS.

The client 102 may further comprise a network interface forcommunicating via the WAN 114, for example, the Internet. Via such aninterface and network, the player device may communicate with a DCMserver 108 operating a digital content management application responsiveto input from multiple clients, such as clients 102 and 118. The DCMserver 108 may be coupled to a computer-readable storage medium 120,such as, for example, a magnetic, optical, or electronic data storagedevice. The computer-readable medium 120 may hold encoded instructionsfor performing certain actions as described herein, and copies ofdigital content belonging to content libraries defined for one or moreusers. The DCM server may enable distribution of content to multipleclients for validated system users via digital download of contentfiles, streaming video, or both.

The DCM server may validate the identity of users authorized to accesscontent via the system 100, by communicating with an identificationserver 110. In the alternative, or in addition, the DCM server mayincorporate functions for validating user identifications. Theidentification server 110 registers new users and validates identitiesof existing users. The identification server 110 may be coupled to asecure database 112, which may store user data, including, for example,account identifiers, passwords, contact information, and paymentinformation. The identification server 110 or other network componentmay also manage subscriptions and payments. Generally, license fees ofvarious types may be charged to users for access to content providedfrom the DCM server 108.

Index data, including identifiers and content titles, for data filesstored in network locations and locally may be aggregated in a libraryindex for all files accessible via a particular client and/or useraccount. As noted, such files may be obtained from multiple differentsources. In some embodiments, the library index may be stored andmaintained at the DCM server 108 or other central network server. In thealternative, or in addition, library files may be stored and maintainedlocally at individual client devices, for example, clients 102 and 118.However, in some embodiments, library content is not stored on mobiledevices such as client 118. Instead, mobile clients access librarycontent via streaming video, wherein a short-term cache of video data isstored on the mobile device during a video streaming access session, butthe cache is deleted in response to completion of the access session.

In addition to the DCM server 108, the system 100 may include a separatemobile content server 130 dedicated to servicing the mobile client 118and other clients connected via the wireless network 116. The mobilecontent server 130, among other things, may convert digital videocontent to a form usable on one or more different mobile platforms andservice content directed through the wireless network 116. In addition,the mobile content server may maintain a local library 132 of convertedcontent for transmitting to client devices though the wireless network116.

A content file 200 for digital download to a DCM client computer mayinclude a protected component 202 and an associated data component 204,as diagrammed in FIG. 2. The protected component may include contentsuch as video data, audio data, image data, text data, or other contentthat is protected from access by unauthorized users or devices. Forexample, the protected content may be encrypted, and not accessiblewithout a secure decryption key. In the alternative, or in addition, thecontent may be protected using an alternative protection scheme.

The associated or metadata component 204 may contain unprotected datarelated to or about content in the protected component 202, and that isaccessible without restriction. The unprotected data may include, forexample, a file name 206, a purported title 208 or description for theprotected content, an identifier 210 for one or more keys needed toaccess the protected content, a file size 212 and/or file date, andencoding information 214 concerning video frames and bit rates used toencode audio or video data included in the protected content. Theunprotected data may include other metadata which may vary depending onfile source. Characteristically for many data files, both the protectedcontent and the metadata are static after file creation, meaning contentand metadata do not change.

Each library file 200 may also be associated with content managementdata 216 used by the DCM server 108 to manage access to the file foruser convenience and conformance to licensed conditions. The contentmanagement data 216, metadata 204 and protected A/V content may beassociated with each other by being grouped in a single data structure,for example in a data file or in a database record, or by correspondingidentifiers grouped in a single data structure. Content management data216 may be included as part of the file 200, may be maintained in one ormore files separate from file 200, or both. The content management datamay include, for example, a progress mark 220 indicating viewingprogress of file 200, play window information 222, such as the windowperiod length and play initiation time/date, and platform type 218 ofmobile clients or other clients authorized to access the video contentincluded in the file. To enable functionality of the progress markacross multiple viewing devices, current viewing progress 220 may betransmitted to the DCM server in response to termination of a viewingsession for the associated video content, whether on a mobile device orother client. Subsequently, the DCM server may publish the currentprogress mark to all registered clients, or to a specific client inresponse to a data request. Therefore, when play of the contentcontinues at any device registered with the DCM server for the useraccount, it can resume at the point indicated by the progress mark.

Similarly, play window data 222 may also be provided to and from the DCMserver in response to specific events involving associated content. Forexample, play window data may be provided from a mobile device or otherclient to the server, in response to first initiation of play of acontent title on a registered client. The data 222 may include atime/date stamp recording the initiation time, an indication of thelength of the time window. Subsequently, the DCM server may publish thetime window data to all registered clients for the applicable useraccount, or to a specific client in response to a data request. Anyclient on which play of the time-restricted client is requested maythereby determine, using the data 222 and an indicator of the currenttime, whether or not continued play of the content is permitted. Iffurther play is not permitted, the client may prevent further access tothe content. It should be apparent that play window data is not requiredor used when the content is free from any restrictions to limit play toa specific time window.

Platform type data 218 and other data identifying mobile devicesregistered for a user account, for example, telephone numbers, may bemaintained in a registry by the DCM server for each user account. Inaddition, in embodiments where the mobile content server 130 maintainscopies of content for streaming to mobile devices, the platforminformation informs the mobile content server of authorized devices andplatforms for specific content. The mobile content server 130 can thenrespond appropriately to content requests, by streaming content in acompatible data format to authorized mobile clients, while refusingrequests from unauthorized clients. In both cases, the mobile contentserver does not need to request user authentication information such asa user ID or password from the requesting mobile client, and may freelystream the content without obtaining any authentication information.

Consistent with the foregoing, examples of data flows within amulti-client video content distribution and management system 300 areshown in FIG. 3. An identification server is omitted from the figure forillustrative simplicity, but may also be present as shown in FIG. 1.

The DCM server 308 has several important functions with respect to theDCM client 302 and the mobile server 330. The server 308 does notinteract directly with any mobile client 318. With respect to the DCMclient 302, when setting up a new client the server 308 downloads a DCMapplication for installation on client 302, and registers the resultingapplication instance as belonging to a user account identified andauthenticated in an initial registration process. In addition, the DCMserver 308 receives mobile device profile information from the client302, and registers the profile information as belonging to an identifieduser. The DCM server 308 also receives requests for streaming videoand/or digital download of video content from the DCM client 302. Inresponse to digital download requests, the DCM server determines thatthe client is authorized to receive a file, and transmits authorizedfiles to the client. In response to streaming video requests, the DCMserver verifies that the client is authorized to receive the requestedstreaming content, and streams the video content to the client.

With respect to the mobile server 330, the DCM server 308 providesmobile device profiles and library content data to the mobile server.For example, the DCM server may provide data and content as discussedabove in connection with FIG. 2. The mobile server may translate libraryvideo content received from the DCM server to a format suitable forstreaming to the indicated mobile platforms, either in response tocontent requests or in advance of such requests. In addition, the DCMserver 308 may receive usage data from the mobile server, for example,progress data and play window data as previously discussed, or otherdata reporting on video data served by the mobile server 330 to mobileclients. The DCM server may also receive requests for new contentrelayed from mobile clients, wherein the new content is not available inthe mobile server's content storage for the requesting client. In suchcases, the DCM server and the mobile server may cooperate to enableaccess to the video content, for example as part of a licensingtransaction with a user.

The mobile server 330 also services content requests from the mobileclient 318. In response to authorized requests, the mobile serverstreams video content to the mobile device and tracks progress and useof streaming video as reported by the client. The mobile server maymaintain a database or table for telephones numbers of devicesauthorized to receive each content title in its data store. In responseto receiving a request for content, the mobile server may determineusing the device phone number whether or not the requesting device isauthorized to receive the requested title. The mobile server may performthis determination without requiring an account identifier or passwordfrom the mobile client. Thus, the mobile device user enjoys theconvenience of mobile access to the content library for the DCM client302, while being spared the inconvenience of any authentication sessionfrom the mobile device.

The systems 100 and 300 therefore rely on designation of authorizedmobile devices via a registered DCM client device operating anauthorized DCM application, to establish a profile for authorized mobiledevices used with a user account. Establishing these profiles may beaccomplished via a user interface window 400 operating and displayed onthe DCM client, as shown by way of example in FIG. 4. In the left column402 of window 400, interactive objects 406 and 408 are provided forentry of profile information. To set up a mobile device to receivecontent, the user need do nothing more than enter the device's phonenumber using the data entry object 406, and specify the phone type usingdata entry object 408, for example by selecting from a list of supportedmobile devices, while connected to the DCM in a secure sessionauthorized for the user. In the alternative, or in addition, the usermay manually configure a mobile device via its web browser using a URLfor the mobile content server and a supplied PIN number, as indicated at410. A list of successfully registered mobile devices is displayed inthe right column 404. This list may include one or more links 412 forrequesting that a registered device be unregistered or removed from thelist.

By way of example, a method 500 as shown in FIG. 5 illustratesoperations of the system described above to enable content managementacross multiple client devices. Initially, an identification serverregisters a user 502 in response to user input from a connected client.The registration 502 establishes a user account for use by the DCMserver. The account may also be used for licensing new content to beadded to a content library for the registered user. Once establishing anaccount, the identification server completes an authentication process504 with a client device to establish an initial secured session betweena DCM server and the client. The secure session includes causing anapplication to operate on the client device that provides an option forthe user to install a DCM client application, for example by selecting alink or dialog button. In response to detecting selection of a link orother signal from the client 506 to install the DCM application, the DCMserver transmits 508 the DCM application to the client device forinstallation 508. The client, in response to user input, installs theDCM application and initiates it.

Once installed, the DCM application confirms that it has beensuccessfully installed on the client by sending a signal to the DCMserver. The DCM application may also transmit a hardware “fingerprint”or other identifier for the client on which it is installed to the DCMserver. In response to receiving the confirmation signal, the DCM serverregisters the client identifier with the authenticated user account 510for the installation session. In subsequent sessions with the client,the DCM server may use the client identifier to link activity in thesubsequent sessions with the registered user account.

In addition, the DCM client application may scan local memory of theclient 512 to identify authorized digital copies of content that mayalready be present there, and transmit identification information forthe authorized copies to the DCM server. This may be performed insuccessive parts, such as first identifying digital copies of content inlocal storage, and then determining whether or not the copy isauthorized. The client application may apply a scanning query usingknown characteristics of digital content files to identify local copies.Known characteristics may include, for example, file names, file types,file metadata, file structure, hashed digital signatures, non-hasheddigital signatures, or any other suitable filter for selectivelylocating local digital content. It should be apparent that the scanningprocess will identify only such digital content as has knowncharacteristics, generally but not exclusively as a result of being adefined released via a known distribution channel.

After finding a copy of digital content stored locally, the clientapplication may look up a designated media store, for example a WindowsMedia store, and verify that the consumer has a valid DRM license forthe local content. Identifying and verifying authorized content mayinclude comparing digital signatures of local-stored copies withauthorized digital signatures for the client contained in a secure localor remote store for the client device. Generally, when a client is usedto obtain a licensed or otherwise authorized digital copy, a record ofthe transaction including a digital signature for the authorizedcontent, or a copy of the content, may be maintained in a securecomputer memory, for example at a transaction server. Subsequently, theclient may compare a digital signature of a local copy, or the copyitself, to a signature or copy maintained in the secure store. If thelocal copy is authorized, the client will locate a correspondingsignature or copy in the secure store that matches the local copy.

In response to receiving the identification information, the DCM servermay build a list or library file 514 containing the identifiers for allthe client's existing content, and associated metadata as describedherein. Optionally, the client may upload digital copies of the libraryitems to the DCM server, or the DCM server may retrieve copies fromanother source. The DCM server may maintain the uploaded or retrievedcontent in a locked account for use by authorized users according toapplicable license terms. The DCM server may determine applicablelicense terms by scanning file metadata and/or communicating with adesignated administrative server for specific digital content. Theidentity of the authorized user or users may be determined withreference to the source client or clients and the registration processused, for example the registration at 502.

To further define the access network for the user account, the clientvia the DCM application may receive user input 516 defining a mobiledevice platform and telephone number that the user would like to use asan ancillary device to access content in the library. For example, userinput may be received by the client via a user interface as shown inFIG. 4. The client may transmit the mobile device platform and telephonenumber for one or more mobile devices entered by the user to the DCMserver.

The DCM server or client may register each mobile device 518 at themobile server, using the mobile device platform and telephone number.The mobile device platform may maintain records for registered mobiledevices in a local registry, in response to information from the DCMserver. The mobile content server, among other things, converts digitalvideo content to a form usable on one or more different mobileplatforms, and may maintain a local library of converted content fortransmitting to mobile device. In response to receiving a request toregister a new mobile device, the mobile content server may transmit anSMS message to the mobile device that includes a link for downloading anaccess application for accessing mobile video content supplied from themobile content server. In the alternative, the SMS message may betransmitted from a different server, or a link for downloading theaccess application may be provided in some other way, such as via a webpage interface.

At 522, the mobile server downloads the mobile access application to thenewly registered mobile device. The mobile device may then install theapplication locally. After installation, the mobile device may be usedto request access to any video content in the user's library, whereinthe “user” is the one that caused the DCM application to be installed onthe initial client ‘A’ (see box 508). The mobile access application,when executed by the mobile device, may present a user interfacepermitting indication or selection of library content. In response toindication or selection of library content, the mobile accessapplication may generate a “play” request to the mobile server,requesting access to specific library content. A play request may alsobe generated from a non-mobile client on which an instance of the DCMapplication is installed, for example, the initial client ‘A.’

In response to receiving a play request 524, a mobile server or DCMserver may determine 526 whether or not the request originated from aDCM client or authorized mobile device. For example, a mobile accessserver may check the registration of the telephone number assigned tothe device that transmitted the request. For further example, a DCMserver may check the registration of the requesting client using acookie, hardware fingerprint, or other identifier. In response todetermining that the incoming play request did not originate from aregistered device, the receiving server may invoke an error handlingroutine 528, such as, for example, denying the request and transmittingan indication of the reason for denial to the requesting device. Theserver may then wait for the next request 530.

In response to determining that the request originated from a registereddevice, the server may determine 532 whether or not the requestedcontent is included in the library for the originating device; that is,whether or not in the library for the user account under which thedevice is registered. For example, the receiving server may check anidentifier for the requested video content as specified in the requestagainst a local or remote library list for the relevant user account. Inresponse to determining 532 that the requested content is not includedin the user's library, the server may transmit a message 534 to therequesting client, inviting the client to acquire or subscribe to therequested content. In response to determining 538 that the user hassubscribed to or acquired the requested content, the server maydetermine 536 whether or not a play window is applicable and open forthe requested content. Conversely, in response to determining 538 thatthe user has not subscribed to or acquired the requested content, theserver may wait for the next user request 530.

In response to determining 532 that the requested content is included inthe user's library, the server may determine 536 whether or not a playwindow is applicable and open for the requested content. For example,temporary content may be available for only a limited time window, whichis specified in secure data associated with or part of the requestedcontent. In this case, the server may retrieve and read the relevantdata portion. In the alternative, or in addition, the applicability andstatus of a time window may be indicated in a library database or otherdata structure in association with the content identifier. In the secondcase, the server may query the relevant database or table to determinethe relevant time window. Yet another option is to communicate with anauthoritative server tasked with monitoring time windows for videocontent.

In response to determining 536 that a play window applies and is notopen for the requested content, the server may invoke an appropriateerror handling routine 528 and wait for the next content request 530. Inresponse to determining 536 that a play window does not apply, or ifapplicable is open for the requested content, the server may stream ordownload 540 the requested content to the requesting device, dependingon the requested mode of delivery and applicable restrictions. In anembodiment, requested video content is delivered via streaming only tomobile devices; that is, digital download is not available for mobiledevices but is available for an initial or anchor client ‘A.’ In otherembodiments, all technically feasible delivery options are available formobile devices.

The receiving device then operates the applicable client access softwareto view the downloaded or streamed video content. After the clientaccess software has completed or terminated an access session 542 for acontent title, the software may transmit 544 an indication of accessstatus to the DCM server, mobile server, or both. For example, theclient application may provide a progress indicator, play windowinitiation information, or other usage data to one or more of theseservers. The servers may process status data for its intended use andwait 530 for the next user data request.

More detailed operations 600 of a system component such as a DCM serverare illustrated in FIG. 6. In an initial operation, a DCM server mayregister 602 mobile device platform information and telephone numberinformation for at least one wireless mobile device indicated byinformation received from a client in a registry identified with a useraccount. Registering 602 may be performed in response to validating auser account identifier received from the client computer.

In addition, the DCM server may maintain 604 a library of digital videocontent identified with the user account at a network server, availablefor serving the digital video content to the client computer. The DCMserver may also perform operations for providing the digital content,the mobile device platform information and the telephone numberinformation to a mobile content server 606, to enable on-demandstreaming video delivery of the digital video content from the mobilecontent server to the at least one mobile device without requiring theuser account identifier to be provided from the at least one mobiledevice. The mobile content server thereby freely provides the librarycontent in response to requests from a mobile device identified by thetelephone number supplied by the DCM server.

It should be noted that the telephone number referenced here should bedistinct and separate from the user account identifier. The telephonenumber does not function as a user account identifier for the librarycontent, designating principally an assigned address for the device in amobile communications system. In contrast, the user account identifierfor the library content does not function as the identifier for anydevice in a wireless communication system, designating instead anaccount for clearing transactions for the digital video contentcontained in the library. Therefore, the account holder for the videolibrary may designate any number of mobile devices to receive librarycontent, for example, 1, 2 or 3, subject only to limits placed by asystem administrator

Consistent with method 600, and as further illustrated by FIG. 7, anapparatus 700 may function as a DCM server. The apparatus 700 maycomprise an electronic component or module 702 for, in response tovalidating a user account identifier received from a client computer,registering, in a registry identified with a user account, mobile deviceplatform information and telephone number information for at least onewireless mobile device indicated by information received from theclient. The apparatus 700 may comprise an electronic component or module704 for maintaining a library of digital video content identified withthe user account at a network server, available for serving the digitalvideo content to the client computer. In addition, The apparatus 700 maycomprise an electronic component or module 706 for providing the digitalcontent, the mobile device platform information and the telephone numberinformation to a mobile content server, to enable on-demand streamingvideo delivery of the digital video content from the mobile contentserver to the at least one mobile device without requiring the useraccount identifier to be provided from the at least one mobile device.

The apparatus 700 may optionally include a processor module 718 havingat least one processor; in the case of the apparatus 700 this may beconfigured as a computer server, rather than as a general purposemicroprocessor. The processor 718, in such case, may be in operativecommunication with the modules 702-706 via a bus 712 or similarcommunication coupling. The processor 818 may effect initiation andscheduling of the processes or functions performed by electricalcomponents 702-706.

In related aspects, the apparatus 700 may include a network interfacemodule 714 through with the processor 718 may send and receiveinformation to clients and other servers. In further related aspects,the apparatus 700 may optionally include a module for storinginformation, such as, for example, a memory device/module 716. Thecomputer readable medium or the memory module 716 may be operativelycoupled to the other components of the apparatus 700 via the bus 712 orthe like. The memory module 716 may be adapted to store computerreadable instructions and data for effecting the processes and behaviorof the modules 702-706, and subcomponents thereof, or the processor 718,or the methods disclosed herein, and other operations for contentidentification, playing, copying, and other use. The memory module 716may retain instructions for executing functions associated with themodules 702-708. While shown as being external to the memory 716, it isto be understood that the modules 702-706 may exist at least partlywithin the memory 716.

FIG. 8 shows additional operations 800 that may be performed by aserver, in conjunction with method 600. The apparatus 700 may similarlybe configured with additional modules for performing any or all ofoperations 800, together with the modules 702-706. The method 600 mayinclude any one or both of the additional operations 800, in anyoperative order. The method 600 may further comprise comprising trackingprogress 802 of the on-demand streaming video delivery of the digitalvideo content from the mobile content server to the at least one mobiledevice, using the network server, to enable play of the digital videocontent to resume at the client computer at a point where the streamingvideo delivery is terminated to the at least one mobile device. Themethod 600 may further comprise tracking the progress using the mobilecontent server 804, to enable play of the digital video content toresume at any client in the registry at a point where the streamingvideo delivery is terminated to the at least one mobile device.

FIG. 9 shows additional operations 900 that may be performed by aserver, in conjunction with method 600. The apparatus 700 may similarlybe configured with additional modules for performing any or all ofoperations 900, together with the modules 702-706. The method 600 mayinclude any one or both of the additional operations 900, in anyoperative order. The method 600 may further comprise validating the useraccount identifier 902 via a digital content manager applicationinstalled on the client computer. The method 600 may further comprisereserving 904 the digital content manager and the digital video contentlibrary for use with the user account identifier only, in response tovalidating the user account identifier via the digital content managerapplication. Once reserved for the user account, the DCM clientapplication cannot be used to service any other account.

FIG. 10 shows additional operations 1000 that may be performed by aserver, in conjunction with method 600. The apparatus 700 may similarlybe configured with additional modules for performing any or all ofoperations 1000, together with the modules 702-706. The method 600 mayinclude any one or both of the additional operations 1000, in anyoperative order. The method 600 may further comprise initiating aviewing period 1002 for a title of the digital video content, inresponse to play of the title being initiated on any one of the clientcomputer or mobile client in the registry, wherein play of the title isnot permitted on any one of the client computer or mobile client in theregistry, after expiration of the viewing period. The method 600 mayfurther comprise synchronizing data defining the viewing period betweenthe network computer and the mobile content server 1004.

FIG. 11 shows additional operations 1100 that may be performed by aserver, in conjunction with method 600. The apparatus 700 may similarlybe configured with additional modules for performing any or all ofoperations 1100, together with the modules 702-706. The method 600 mayinclude any one or both of the additional operations 1100, in anyoperative order. The method 600 may further comprise transmitting an SMSmessage addressed to the telephone number 1102, in response toregistering the mobile device platform information and telephone numberinformation. The method 600 may further comprise including a link fordownloading a viewing application for the mobile device in the SMSmessage 1102.

FIG. 12 shows additional operations 1200 that may be performed by aserver, in conjunction with method 600. The apparatus 700 may similarlybe configured with additional modules for performing any or all ofoperations 1200, together with the modules 702-706. The method 600 mayinclude any one or all of the additional operations 1200, in anyoperative order. The method 600 may further include, at 1202, scanning afile system in a computer-readable storage resource identified as ownedby the user to identify prospective library content for including in thelibrary of digital video content. For example, the server may scan alocal storage device of a client the user is using to connect with theserver, or a cloud storage device identified by the user. The clientapplication may apply a scanning query using known characteristics ofdigital content files to identify local or other copies, as moreparticularly described herein above.

The method 600 may further include, at 1204, determining whether theprospective library content is authorized for use by the user. Forexample, the method 600 may further include, at 1206, determiningwhether the prospective library content is authorized by comparing adigital signature of the prospective library content with an authorizeddigital signature for content licensed to the user by a contentprovider, for example an authorized signature obtained from a securesite. The server is not limited to using signature comparison to makethis determination. The server may use any suitable method fordetermining whether the prospective library content is authorized foruse by the user, including but not limited to the particular examplesdisclosed herein above. The method 600 may further include, at 1208,adding the prospective library content to the library of digital videocontent based on determining that the prospective library content isauthorized for use by the user.

As used in this application, the terms “component”, “module”, “system”,and the like are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, eitherhardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or softwarein execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited tobeing, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, anexecutable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By wayof illustration, both an application running on a server and the servercan be a component. One or more components may reside within a processand/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on onecomputer and/or distributed between two or more computers.

Various aspects will be presented in terms of systems that may include anumber of components, modules, and the like. It is to be understood andappreciated that the various systems may include additional components,modules, etc. and/or may not include all of the components, modules,etc. discussed in connection with the figures. A combination of theseapproaches may also be used. The various aspects disclosed herein can beperformed on electrical devices including devices that utilize touchscreen display technologies and/or mouse-and-keyboard type interfaces.Examples of such devices include computers (desktop and mobile), smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other electronic devicesboth wired and wireless.

In addition, the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, andcircuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein maybe implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digitalsignal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmablelogic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor,but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration.

Furthermore, the one or more versions may be implemented as a method,apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware, or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedaspects. Non-transitory computer-readable media may include but are notlimited to magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips . . . ), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD) . . . ), smart cards, and flash memory devices(e.g., card, stick). Of course, those skilled in the art will recognizemany modifications may be made to this configuration without departingfrom the scope of the disclosed aspects.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with theaspects disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in asoftware module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two.A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory,EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, aCD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. Anexemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such the processorcan read information from, and write information to, the storage medium.In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor.The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC mayreside in a user terminal. In the alternative, the processor and thestorage medium may reside as discrete components in a user terminal.

The previous description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enableany person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure.Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may beapplied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scopeof the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to belimited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widestscope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosedherein.

In view of the exemplary systems described supra, methodologies that maybe implemented in accordance with the disclosed subject matter have beendescribed with reference to several flow diagrams. While for purposes ofsimplicity of explanation, the methodologies are shown and described asa series of blocks, it is to be understood and appreciated that theclaimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, assome blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with otherblocks from what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not allillustrated blocks may be required to implement the methodologiesdescribed herein. Additionally, it should be further appreciated thatthe methodologies disclosed herein are capable of being stored on anarticle of manufacture to facilitate transporting and transferring suchmethodologies to computers. The term article of manufacture, as usedherein, is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device, carrier, or non-transitory medium.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving, by at leastone processor, a request for digital content from a wireless mobiledevice identified by a telephone number in a wireless communicationnetwork; determining, by the at least one processor, whether a useraccount is authorized for access to the digital content solely by thetelephone number, based on a prior registration of the telephone numberas a pre-authorized identifier for a user account and specified mobileplatform in a computer memory; and providing, by the at least oneprocessor if the determining determines that the user account isauthorized for access to the digital content, a form of the digitalcontent configured for the mobile platform to the mobile device over thewireless communication network.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising receiving an indication of viewing progress of the digitalcontent from the wireless mobile device, and enabling play of thedigital content to resume at another device authenticated for the useraccount based on the indication of viewing progress.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising maintaining a library of digital contentidentified with the user account for access by the mobile device.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising determining whether the useraccount is authorized for access at least in part by communicating witha digital content manager application installed on the mobile device. 5.The method of claim 1, further comprising enforcing a viewing period forthe digital content based on first play of the title on any one ofdevices registered for the user account, wherein play of the title isnot enabled on any one of the devices authenticated for the user accountafter expiration of the viewing period.
 6. The method of claim 1,further comprising transmitting an SMS message addressed to thetelephone number, in response to registering the telephone number. 7.The method of claim 6, further comprising including a link fordownloading a viewing application for the mobile device in the SMSmessage.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing thedigital content to the mobile device via the wireless communicationnetwork by at least one of streaming or digital download.
 9. The methodof claim 1, further comprising authenticating a user account identifierfor a user account received from the mobile device over the wirelesscommunication network, prior to registration of the telephone number asthe pre-authorized identifier.
 10. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising registering the telephone number for the wireless mobiledevice in a registry identified with the user account based on theauthenticating, wherein the telephone number is a pre-authorizedidentifier for accessing digital content by the wireless mobile device.11. An apparatus comprising at least one processor coupled to a memory,the memory holding instructions that when executed by the at leastprocessor cause the apparatus to perform: receiving a request fordigital content from a wireless mobile device identified by a telephonenumber in a wireless communication network; determining whether a useraccount is authorized for access to the digital content solely by thetelephone number, based on a prior registration of the telephone numberas a pre-authorized identifier for a user account and specified mobileplatform in a computer memory; and providing, if the determiningdetermines that the user account is authorized for access to the digitalcontent, a form of the digital content configured for the mobileplatform to the mobile device over the wireless communication network.12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the memory holds furtherinstructions for receiving an indication of viewing progress of thedigital content from the wireless mobile device, and enabling play ofthe digital content to resume at another device authenticated for theuser account based on the indication of viewing progress.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein the memory holds further instructions formaintaining a library of digital content identified with the useraccount for access by the mobile device.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the memory holds further instructions for determining whetherthe user account is authorized for access at least in part bycommunicating with a digital content manager application installed onthe mobile device.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the memoryholds further instructions for enforcing a viewing period for thedigital content based on first play of the title on any one of devicesregistered for the user account, wherein play of the title is notenabled on any one of the devices authenticated for the user accountafter expiration of the viewing period.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the memory holds further instructions for transmitting an SMSmessage addressed to the telephone number, in response to registeringthe telephone number.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the memoryholds further instructions for including a link for downloading aviewing application for the mobile device in the SMS message.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein the memory holds further instructions forproviding the digital content to the mobile device via the wirelesscommunication network by at least one of streaming or digital download.19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the memory holds furtherinstructions for authenticating a user account identifier for a useraccount received from the mobile device over the wireless communicationnetwork, prior to registration of the telephone number as thepre-authorized identifier.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein thememory holds further instructions for registering the telephone numberfor the wireless mobile device in a registry identified with the useraccount based on the authenticating, wherein the telephone number is apre-authorized identifier for accessing digital content by the wirelessmobile device.